Each Thursday, check in with us on Thursday for the OTH Game of the Week.
While there are a lot of options for Week 1 and the kick-off to high school football in 2023, what makes this initial Friday night so different is the SAC’s move to include non-conference games for the first time since Carroll and Homestead joined the conference.
So we are headed to Kendallville to open the season as Bishop Luers visits East Noble.
WHAT IS ON THE LINE
Simple: bragging rights.
For a long time there has been conversation about top-end NE8 teams and where they would fit in the SAC mix. Here is a chance to get a little bit of clarity with one of the top Northeast 8 Conference teams facing off against a projected middle of the pack SAC team, but one still built for postseason success away from the SAC.
Only two SAC teams have picked up area opponents for Week 1. Northrop will face New Haven, which may not be as tight as this one. But this battle between a pair of Outside the Huddle preseason top 10 squads expects to deliver.
The winner of this one will surely get an early boost, but the conference bragging rights are a big talking point. The Battle of the Knights is probably far more about the SAC versus NE8 than anything else to most onlookers.
THE HISTORY
There is none. And that, while not making for much of this section of the preview, is still a very cool highlight of this game.
How often in the area do we get to see any first-time matchups on the gridiron, let alone between two successful programs?
While Bishop Luers coach Kyle Lindsay and East Noble coach Luke Amstutz have both been at their respective schools for nearly the same amount of time, two of the area’s most respected coaches are going to battle for the first time ever against each other and against the opposing school.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Issac Zay, Bishop Luers: One of the area’s most underrated athletes, Zay can really be a difference maker on both sides of the ball if he gets going. He can be a dynamic pass catcher if Luers is dialed in there, and on defense, you want to throw the ball anywhere else but in Zay’s direction.
Dylan Krehl, East Noble: Can the Luers running machine start off hot? Not if Krehl has anything to say about it. One of the leaders of the East Noble defense, this is another guy who can make an impact on this interesting showdown. These new SAC non conference games are a big, fun part of this season and this one could easily be won in the trenches.
KEY FOR BISHOP LUERS: GRIND ON THE GROUND
A total of 638 yards return with Gio Jimenez and Mickey Daring and the two can really power through with the football. As Luers gets used to a new quarterback and other changes offensively, these two could be the best bet from the outset. With both being able to be a bit crafty and a bit physical, Jimenez and Daring pack a powerful punch.
Tristian Woodcox, Dalton Bogdon, Michael Brough and Zack Wall will all play a big role as well. The offensive line will have to move some mountains against an experienced East Noble defense to open up lanes that Jimenez and Daring can exploit.
KEY FOR EAST NOBLE: HOLD THE LINE, AVOID THE LONG BALL
Line up Krehl with Connor Leins (last season’s team leader with with 98 tackles), Jacob Ramey and Kobe Ritchie to handle the potentially explosive ground game of Luers. This group is big and strong and East Noble likes this unit a lot. Tyrin Parks and Michael Mosley will be the leaders on the front line for a team that has to be really focused on hitting hard and playing physical against the run.
But with Luers quarterback Kohen McKenzie lacking a lot of film to review, East Noble will need to avoid potential big plays downfield with Zay and others deep. Good news? East Noble has the likes of Rylee Biddle and Logan Hatton to help lock that down.
BLITZ’S PICK
Check back for Blitz’s picks on Thursday to find out!
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